Panoramic photographic camera.



J. BECKER.

PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE [7. l9l3- Patented Apr. 2 0, 1915.

5 SHBETSSHEBT 1.

wrwsses x J. BECKER.

PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.

nrmcmou FILED mm: 11. mls.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

5 SHEETSS3KEET 2.

W III/III Inven for Minesss v [I c vvi 1. BECKER. I PANORAMIC' PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I7, 1913- Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

l. BECKER.

. PANORAMIC PHOTOGRAPHIC CAMERA, APPLICATION FILED mm 17. isls.

1,136,761.- I Patented Apr.20,1915.

5 TSHEET SS]IEET 4.

F .5 z J il'0SEPH1BECKER,'OFiWASHINGTON, msrnrczr or commnm.

PANORAMIC PHOTdG-BAPHIC CAMERA.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Panoramic Photographic Cameras, of which the following is a specification. The, present invention relates to panoramic cameras of the type in which the lens is made to rotate or revolve on a vertical ax s, during exposure, in order to increase the horizontal angular extent ofthe view covered by the lens; and the object of the invention is to avoid the distorted perspec-' tive efi'ects reduced in prior cameras of such type. ne of the earliest of these prior cameras is the rocking-enrolling plate camera of Thomas Sutton, described in the I article Panoramic Camera of Suttons A Dictiona 'of Photography, London, 1858, (copy at atent Ofiice Library), and one of the latestis the Cylindrographe of Moessard, described in La 1V ature, Paris, July 18, 1-885,-pp. 103, 104; also in the Scientific American Supplemnt, N ew'York, Septem-' ber 19, 1885, pp. 8092, 8093. Whenever any one of such heretofore proposed rotating or revolving lens cameras is used to take a picture from a point close to and directly oppositethe middle front of a long building, the main horizon line of the building will be reproduced as a. straight line, but all 4 as the lens rotates in older that such 'focal higher and lower horizontal lines will be centrally bulged, producing an effect ofbarrel distortion. This distortion is as displeasing as it is untrue, and its equivalent is necessarily present in all pictures, however taken, although it is not as noticeable in landscapes as it is in architectural and street scenes.

Thef absolutely correct perspective is that which might be obtained with a common stationary flat plate pinhole camera; and my object is to secure this same correct perspective on'a stationary flat plate with the aid of a rotating lens, so as" to combine the wide angle and rectilinear properties of the pin hole with the sharpness and speed of a ens.

' I v I c l I I To. this end the invention conslsts in causing the focal length-of the lensgto vary length shall at every instant be equal to the distance that separates the vertical strip or image element being exposed from the axis of rotation of the lens and .while doing this to radially displace the objective as" may be necessary to. keep the nodal point Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1915.

Application filed June 17,1913. Serial in. 774,220.

- a of emergence. of the objective stationary in BECKER, a

the axis of rotation.

The invention further consists in the means used for simultaneously producing these two effects automatically as the lens is rotated.

Incidentally, the invention permits of i using a relatively narrow angle lens, such as telephotorlens, for the same purposes as a wide angle lens.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 ple form of my invention in which the radial movements of the component lenses are controlled by cams. of another form in which the radial movements of the component lenses are controlled by a special form of linkage. Fig. 3 shows the parts of Fig. 2 slued around 60 degrees away from the middle position. Figs.

4, 5 and 6 are explanatory diagrams. Fig. 7 is a'horizontal axial section showing the simplified form assumed by the linkageof Figs. 2 and 3 when the two lenses used have focal lengths that are numerically equal; the equations that apply being annexed to the figure as a part thereof. Fig. 8 is a pen sketch of the Capitol Building at Washington, D. C., as actually photographed with my stationary fiat plate panoram c camera of the type having a rotary pinhole lens pivoted on its vertical diameter. Fig. 9 is a pen sketch of the same Capitol Building as it would have appeared if the camera used in making the picture of Fig. 8 had been replaced by an equal size. panoramic 'camera'of the common, or Moessard, type.

In Fig. 1 the camera consists of any suitable box 10 with corner posts, such as 11,

grooved at 12 to receive the end of the plate (or plate and holder) 13 which is let in through a rectangular opening-in the top wall of the box. Springs, such as 14, are provided for firmly holding the plate in its proper position. j v v,

The objective comprises at least two difis a horizontal axial section of a very siin- Fig. 2 is a similar view ferent lenses A and 'B, which move radially as they are slued around center pin C to make the exposure; and they are thus moved radially by a cam 15 which is fastened by screws 16 to the bottom bed plate 18 of the camera.

Fasteners 20 hold lens B in fixed relation to carriage 21, which is slotted at "22 to .a'dmit th e' center pin C; and fasteners 30 similarly hold lens A in fixed relation to carriage 31, which is slotted it 32- to admit and have longitudinal sliding engagement with the carriage 21.

A spring 40 acting radially between the two carriages 21, 31 keeps both carriages radially pressed against the cam plate 15; which virtually consists of two different cams, to wit, cam 24, to act on roller 28 of lens B and-cam 34to act on roller 33 of lens A.

The image -produced by this camera is focal length for any given direction has thus been produced the objective as a whole must be moved radially on such direction to bring its focal point in coincidence with P or P and its nodal point of emergence 1n comeldence with C.

In making the exposure the radial ca'rriage 31 is slued around from its extreme this Moessard principle.

' a. focal length of minus 100 millimeters.

dotted position Fig. 1, down through the full line position to the oppos te extreme position, and during-this motion the focal length of the resultant lens has first shortened from GP to GP and again lengthened back-to a length equal to GP; meanwhile the nodal point of emergence of the resultant lens has remained absolutely stationary in the axis of rotation C. It is well understood in the art, since Moessard, that the axis of rotation of a panoramic rotating or revolving lens, must pass through the nodal point of emergence of such lens, in order that the image produced shall remain stationary on the plate or film While the lens is being rotated; and it is seen that my lens is designed to act in strict accordance with Simpler f01'm.The construction is much simplified if the lenses A and B be carefully made of the same focal length, as by maln'ng lens A, for instance, with a focal length of plus 100 millimeters and lens B if such a combinationlhave discovered the remarkable fact that the two nodal. points of the resultant lens for all relative positions of the-component lenses A and B remain, re-

spectively, coincident with principal foci of such components; and, asa consequence, the distance of the divergent lens B from the axis of pin 0 remains invariable and cam face 24 may be dispensed with by simply pivoting the carriage 21 of lens B on pin C. These conclusions may be verified in the following theory:

The01'y.Thetheory of the compoundlens is not given with suflicient clearness for present purposes in any known treatise on optics, mainly because 3 full sets of 4 or 12 cardinal points in all have to be considered and distinguished. By using the principal foci as points ofreference instead of the nodal points as usually done, I have succeeded in considerably simplifying not only the exposition of this complexsubject, but the final formulae as Well.

Any lense, whether simple or compound, is fully determined for all present purposes by plotting its 4 cardinal oints, which are usually'designated by F, ,N, F, where F, F are the principal foci and N, N are the nodal points. tion these same four points are identified by indices 1, 2, 3 and 4 applied to the letter of the lens to which they belong.

It will further simplify matters to consider at first a combination such as that of Fig. 5 in which the component lenses A and B are both convergent and are sufliciently separated to prevent any overlapping of their lens elements. As will appear presently, the compound or resultant lens so pro- In the present specifica-' duced-will necessarily be a divergent lens, 7

producing a real and erect image.

The left component lens A, which may itself be either simple or compound, has its own set of four cardinal points A A A A, which are invariably located with relation to the lens and which determine an invariable focal length A A equal A A", equal a centimeters. l

' The right component lens B, which may also be either simple or compound, similarly has its own 4 invariably located 1 cardinal points B B B B determining an invariable focal length B B equal B B, equal 6- centimeters.

The resultant lens designated by X has its four cardinal points X X X X relatively movable and determining a variable focallength X X equal X X equal :0 centimeters. Thus in Fig. 5 we have The positive focal lengths are seen to run from left to right, with the light, whereas the negative focal lengths, such as X X, run from right to left, or against the light. In each instance the index 1 refers to the object point or radiant point that produces I parallel rays to the right; and the index 4 refers to the image point orfocus produced cipal focus A of a simple convergent lens A is treated as an object point, as explained cardinal planes of the resultant lens X has similar focal bars :15, m and internodal.

bar N".

The light is assumed to proceed invariably.

from left to right so that the lefthand prinabove; and the right 'hand principal focus A of the same lens A is an image point. Inadivergent lens such as the resultant lens X the left principal focus X would be the image point and the right hand focus X? -an object point. This rule insures that the focal length in the object space of any given lens and the numerically equal focal length in the image space of the same lens shall both and under all circumstances have the 7 same algabraic sign as in optometry, where the power of a lens expressed in dioptr'ies is invariably plus for a convergent lens and invariably minus for a divergent lens.

A being the principal focus of lens for parallel rays, such as IK, from the left; and B the principal focus of lens B for parallel rays such as RS coming from the right, let the distance 2 equal BA be used to define the relative positionof the two lenses.

lens axis, and no change is produced in the location of images by any desired degree of lateral magnification. I have accordingly greatly simplified all calculations by purposely making the lateral magnification such as to produce interlen'ticular rays TS and KL that are inclined at degrees. As a result,-RK equal RK' equal QL equal QL are all equal to z; moreover, all points on the straight line IN are at a distance .A K'

, equal a above the principal axis X X of the objective; and all points onthe straight line SO are at a distance 13 6;) equal "1) below such same principal axis.

' Point X corresponds to the pin hole or fixed axis of rotation C vand this point,

' therefore, is the most convenient point of reference to start from. In lens B the most convenient points of reference are B, the principal focus for parallel rays from the left, and B, the principal focus for parallel rays from the r1ght.' fIn lens A the most convenient and only point of reference to be considered is A, the principal focus for parallel rays fronithe left. For any givenangular position P'CP o the objective three different variables are to be considered, namely, (13,:1/ and .2. Variable a: is the desired focal length X X. of the objective or resultant lens; variable y is the distance XB .of lens B as measured from X or .G to the principal'focus B of B for parallel raysfrom the right; variable a is the distance B A of the first lens A from the second B as measured from Bs principal focus B for parallel rays from the right to As principal focus A for parallel rays from the left. a j

, Calculation of X X or a:.This is the focal length of the resultant. lens. Referring to Fig. 1, it is seen that the minimum value of a: is GP, P being the center of the sensitized plate or film. If CP generally represents any angular position of the objective, than angle PCP will serve to define such position, and GP will be its corresponding focal length. We, therefore, have w:UP=CP/cos.PCP (1) This focal length m may be either positi've or negative. In Figs. 1, 2 and 3 it is where the fraction (0+6) a is a constant,

so'that y is directly proportional to w. The

full meaning of this important result is illustrated in Fig. 6, where the lenses A and B in the full line position are placed exactly as in Fig. 5, so that they would have to be pivoted at X as indicated by the addition of pin C, with the camera plate at XX.

"If now-the objective be turned to point as in the dotted position the focal length m is increased in the proportion of GP to GP or as 5 to 4:, and the distance X B or 3 is in- .chanically from variable :0 by means of pantographic linkage.

Calculation of BA 01' 2. This is the distance of lens A from lens. B as measured from Bs focus B of parallel rays from the right to As focus of parallel rays from the left. The shaded triangle XX N, in which X X equals a: and X N equals a, and the shaded triangle MQLin which QM equals b and. Q L equals a yield directly whence whi h yields and By formula 3 we see that the product we In Fig. 6 for the full line position of A J and B the dimensions are the same as in Fig. 5, but in the inclined position the variables are "a;'=15 mm. y=-35 mm. z'=20 mm.

Linkage form (Figs. 2 and 3).The cam form, Fig. 1, is very simple and will work very smoothly, especially if the cam be plotted at as great a distance as convenient from the axis of rotation C to flatten and smooth the cam curves as much as possible. In view of the results secured by the above theoretical discumion, however all desired motions may also be produced by definite kinematic combinations or a linkage. In Figs. 2 to 4 I show such linkage as applied to a camera comprising a plus lens and a minus lens substantially as in Fig. 1. The pin hole X of the combination is located in theaxis of pivot C mounted on a stand fastened to the camera bed- 51. The plate 52 is held substantially as in Fig. 1 by end posts, such as end post 53, with recess 5%;

extending up to the top wall of the camera which is slotted to permit of inserting the plate or its plate holder from above. Springs, such as 55, serve to hold the plate in proper focal position. Externally of the two posts 53 are mounted rollers 60, only one of which appears in Fig. 3. Surrounding the plate 52, post 53 and rollers 60 is a flexible light-proof band. comprising 2 equal halves 62, 63. These halves are connected in front of the plate at the bottom by a metallic bar 64. This bar 64 and a similar bar at the top determine the exposing slit of the focal plane shutter 62, 63. At the rear a suitable The central point E of the exposing slit is constrained to move exactly parallel with the camera plate by means of a Peaucellier linkage CDEFGH which need not be 'further described, except to note that point G follows a circle passing through C. A smaller linkage CDEFG having all its rods proportional to the similarly lettered belt tightener 65, 66, 67 is provided.

rods of the large linkage is mounted by means of extensions of its" own rods on the large linkage, at points V, W, T and Z. The figures DVDW and FTFZ are parallelograms so as to establish a pantographic connection between the large linkage and the smaller and keep the two exactly similar throughout all deformations. Point O is thus controlled to move parallel to the camera plate so that the distance CC is and remains a constant fractional part of the distance GP or a; the desired variable focal length. The variable distance GG' in the smaller linkage also bears a constant relation to the distance GC in the larger, and as GC is inversely proportional to CE and to m,

GC will always be inversely proportional to w.

Lens B is connected to point C of the smaller linkage so that its principal focus B for parallel rays from the left shall coincide with a point of the vertical axis C. The

connections are diagrammatically indicated by lines 11,-?) and the cardinal planes of the lens.

Lens A is connected to point G of the smaller linkage so that the distance OG in such linkage shall always equal the dis-.

tance B A This connection is similarly indicated by lines a, a, the focal planes, and an additional constant line AG, the exact length of which will be determined by the condition just given.

The connections are such that if CG' could be reduced to zero value 13 A would also become nil, as indicated in Fig. 4, and the focal length of the combination would be infinite. That is to say, a ray of light 100 would pass through as a ray 101, Fig. 4, without deviation though offset toward the lens axis.

Fig. 2 is drawn to the scale shown so that all conditions given inthe theory may easily be verified.

By equation 2 of the theory By equation 5 sem /Ila linkage mm, (Fig. 7. 1r the lenses A and B u in the camera of Fig. 2

have focal lengths a and b that are numeri-.

cally equal, then the sum (a-l-b) in equation 2 becomes m'l, making X B equalzero and causing point C to fall in with the stationary axis G. The four equal distances DV, WD', FT, ZF' being proportional to CC alsovanish and the linkage assumes the simpler form of Fig. 7 which is drawn to the scale shown and in accordance with the values given in the twelve equations annexed to the figure, such values being selected to be whole numbers.

As in Fig. 2 the focal length CF equals 100 mm., and the maximum focal length is supposed to be 200 mm. The parts are shown set for an intermediate focal length X X equal 150mm. and the corresponding variable 'Peaucellier space CE is 140 mm. The links DE and DO which determine the large Peaucellier cell may in accordance with Peaucellier practice have any arbitrarily desired values that do not make the angle CDE either too small when E is on the principal axis GP or too large when E is in one of the extreme positions. To facilitate numerical verification the dimensions selected for the large Peaucellier cell are DE equal to 150 mm.-and DC equal 90 mm.; and the corresponding proportional dimensions of the smaller Peaucellier cell are DG equal 35 mm. and DC' equal The calculated value of link HG. and its equal HC is 7 7 mm. exactly, but no attempt has been made to give this link a whole number value, because if point E be guided in a slot the three links of the large linkage convice will operate as before. guides to-keep G, G and E alined the six nected at G may be suppressed and the delinks could be reduced to three, to wit: ED,

GD, G'D; but this further simplification is not desirable because it introduces side pressures that tend to produce binding.

Fig. 8 shows, sketched to the scale of Fig. 7, a picture of the U. S. Capitol at Washing ton as it might be taken with any one of my stationary fiat plate panoramic cameras having a depth OP equal to 124 millimeters; and

Fig. 9 shows, drawn to the same scale, the same vlew as it would be taken from the same point of view, with a 124 millimeter radius panoramic camera of the common or Moessard' type.

The central parts of the two pictures are of the same size andare substantially similar, but the ends differ considerably. Fig. 8 shows the broad architectural features of the Capitol in their familiar and imposing With other grandeur, while. Fig. '9 is shockingly dis- .torted. The exact nature of this distortion is illustrated with the aid of thirteen equally long plumb lines marked 0, 9, 18 27,

36, 45, and 54, hanging nine degrees apart, at the same level and in the same ver-' tical plane parallel to the front of the Capitol. In Fig. 8 these plumb lines arecorof use, at least in its simpler forms, wherever a constant product mechanism is re- No. 1 1,178, which was filed March 13, 1915, as a division of the present application.

I claim:

1. A photographic camera having a compound objective mounted to rotate or revolve about a vertical axis and provided with means for changing the radial distances of one or more of its component lenses from the axis of rotation during the rotatiori.

2. A photographic camera having a compound objective mounted .to rotate or revolve about a vertical axis and provided with mechanism for changing the radial distances of one or more of its component lenses from the axis of rotation during the rotation, such meiins comprising an asemblage of pivoted ro s.

-3. A photographic camera having a compound objective mounted to rotate or revolve about a vertical axis and provided with mechanism for changing the radial distances of one or more of its component lenses from the axis of rotation during the rotation, such means-comprising alarge Peaucellier linkage carrying a smaller and similar linkage.

4. A panoramic camera having its plate both flat and stationary, and having its objective mounted to rotate or revolve about a vertical axis, such objective being composed of a plus lens and minus lens whose focal lengths are numerically equal.

5. A panoramic camera having its plate or film both flat and stationary, and having its objective mounted to rotate about a vertical axis, passing through the nodal point of emergence of such objective.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name .to this specification in the-presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH BECKER.

Witnesses: I

SAM W. Cooxnnnn, C. E. Fn'rznn.

quired, it has been made thesubject-matter of a separate application for patent, Serial It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1, [36,761, granted April 20, 1915,

upon the application of Joseph Becker, of Washington, District of Columbia, for an improvement in Panoramic Photographic Cameras, errors appear in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 18, for the word variation read variations; same page, lines 77 and 129, for the word lense read lens; page 3, line 4, for N read N same page, line 76, for the word than read than; same page, line 79, for the abbreviation cos. read 008; page 5, line 95, f0r the Word asemhiage read assemblage; and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the cas in the Patent Oflice.

' Signed and sealed this 25th day of May, A. 1)., 1915.

- R. F. WHITEHEAD, Acting Gammissioner of Patents.

[SEAL] 

